Chances are you’ve seen a makeup blending sponge being used in your favorite makeup tutorial one time or another. Perhaps you’ve even used one at some point. You may even have one in your makeup bag right now! But what you may not realize, is that a makeup blending sponge is a versatile makeup tool that can be used for practically anything in your makeup bag. Today I am going to share 25 of my makeup blending sponge hacks that will leave you looking flawless all day long!

1. Motives Blending Sponge

Before I get to all of the makeup blending sponge hacks I have for you, let’s talk about my favorite blending sponge. This is the first hack because there are many sponges available on the market, but I haven’t used anything that has compared to the NEW Motives Blending Sponge. I honestly never found one that I truly LOVED until I got my hands on this one!

Makeup multitasking has met its match with the Motives® Blending Sponge. This all-in-one tool puts the power of a streak-free, airbrushed-quality makeup finish in the palm of your hand. The unique, three-sided design features a flat base, beveled edge and curved edge to effortlessly blend and layer color into every contour of your face with precision. Made from a super soft and bouncy material, this versatile sponge helps minimize makeup waste and can be used wet or dry in any makeup formulation to achieve the perfect level of coverage. Whether you’re concealing, contouring, baking, blushing, bronzing or highlighting, this sponge has got you covered!

 

• Can be used wet or dry with all makeup formulations
• Unique three-sided design features a flat base, beveled edge and curved edge to fit all contours of the face
• Super soft and bouncy material easily blends product for a flawless finish
• Absorbs less product to minimize makeup waste
• Designed to fit perfectly in your palm for easy handling and precise application
• Can be used wet or dry to achieve the perfect level of coverage
• Reusable and latex-free

2. Dampen the Sponge Before Use

This is the number one rule! Be sure to wet your sponge, but not too much. Saturate your blending sponge, squeeze out excess water, and squeeze between a dry towel to remove enough moisture. This is very important to do before using it with your foundation, if it’s too wet, it can leave marks on the skin. The more water left in the sponge; the more foundation is lifted off of your skin. When done right, using a damp sponge will create an airbrush foundation finish. And, when you dampen your blending sponge, it nearly doubles in size for even more blending power. 

3. Use Each Side Strategically 

One of the reasons I LOVE the Motives Blending Sponge is that it has a few different sides for various reasons and areas on your face. The flat base is perfect for applying product to large areas of the face. You can use the beveled side with the tip to apply the product in hard-to-reach areas such as the nose, mouth, and under the eyes. Use the curved edge for baking, contouring, and highlighting. You can literally reach every crevice of your face with this beauty!

4. Bounce & Stipple

The key to applying makeup with a blending sponge is using a bouncing or stippling motion instead of a wiping or sweeping motion. You can apply makeup to your face or the blending sponge first, it doesn’t really matter. You can start by dotting the foundation on your face, then start to bounce it in, working it into the skin starting in the areas that you’d like more coverage.

5. For a “No Makeup” Makeup Look

This hack is for those days where you don’t really want to wear foundation, but still want to look flawless. Use the tip of the blending sponge to dab on some concealer to your under-eye area, apply one pump of Lumiere Pore Minimizing Serum to your damp blending sponge and bounce onto the skin. It instantly blurs imperfections and reduces the appearance of pores. This innovative formula is designed to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, moisturize and eliminate shine. Trust me, you’ll love it!

6. For an Oily T-Zone

If you have struggled with an oily T-Zone, you are always looking for the perfect hack! This is a hack I use all of the time on my special occasion makeup clients. Spray your sponge with Motives No More Shine Setting Spray and pat any areas that tend to get oily throughout the day BEFORE you apply your makeup. This helps control surface shine and absorb excess oil all day long!

7. Use to Apply Your Primer

Don’t waste your products! Before you apply your foundation, apply a dab of primer directly onto your sponge. Start working into the skin. This will act as a barrier preventing the product from being absorbed into the sponge and your skin. It also helps create a more even finish as the primer helps hydrate and smooth the skin.

8. Hydrate Flakey Skin

If you have a few spots that look dry and flakey, apply a drop or two of Lumiere de Vie Renewal Elixir to your blending sponge and apply to your skin using circular motions prior to your foundation. The Elixir will hydrate while the sponge will buff the skin for a smoother finish. I have even done this after the foundation if the skin has that dry look. It works GREAT!

9. Use with Powder

Try using your blending sponge with your face powder. Dip your sponge into your translucent powder using the flat side. Pat that on in areas you really want to seal and then gently wipe off the extra with a big fluffy powder brush. Make sure you rinse/wash your sponge afterward to prepare it for the next time!

10. Use After Powder

Do you ever have those times where you apply way too much powder? Don’t panic, bounce your blending sponge over the powder and it will pull just the right amount back off.  You can even spray your sponge with one of the Motives Setting Sprays for a little extra help.

11. Brighten Under Eye Area

This is another hack I use often on my clients. Have you heard of “baking”? To bake, start by grabbing a damp blending sponge, using the end with the tip, apply a layer of Motives Translucent Loose Powder using a tapping motion on the areas you want to brighten and set under the eye. Leave the powder on for three to five minutes then sweep away the excess using a fluffy brush or even buff away with your blending sponge.

12. For a Crease Resistant Under Eye 

Trying to avoid that dreadful under-eye crease? After applying concealer, and your Translucent Loose Powder, spray Motives 10 Years Younger Setting Spray onto your blending sponge and gently pat under the eye area. This will lock everything into place for longer staying power!

13. For Added Oil Control

If you have a few stubborn areas that just seem to get oily no matter what, bake on some powder in the areas that tend to get oily throughout the day. To bake, start by grabbing a damp blending sponge and apply a layer of Motives Translucent Loose Powder using a tapping motion on the areas you want extra oil control. Leave the powder on for three to five minutes then sweep away the excess using a fluffy brush or buff away with your blending sponge.

14. Set Your Foundation

If you want your makeup to last all day, spray your sponge with Motives 10 Years Younger Makeup Setting Spray and pat over your foundation to lock in your foundation and leave you with a dewy look. You can even thoroughly saturate your blending sponge with 10 Years Younger Setting Spray instead of water, and use it to apply your foundation. This will set your foundation while you apply it.

15. For Dewy Skin

Are you longing for that beautiful flawless glow? For the perfect dewy complexion, apply a few drops of Lumiere de Vie Renewal Elixir to your blending sponge and stipple over your makeup. This will give you the right amount of natural glow without looking greasy.

16. Show Your Freckles

I happen to LOVE freckles even though I don’t have them. I get excited when I get to do makeup on someone with beautiful freckles and find that most like them to show through their makeup. After applying the foundation, you can bounce your clean sponge over the areas that you want your freckles to show through. This will pull off just enough foundation to show them off without leaving blotches. 

17. Apply Blush & Highlighter

Most tend to think foundation when they think about using a blending sponge, but I love to use it with cream blushes, highlighters, bronzers, or even the Lumiere de Vie Lumi-Sticks. First, apply your cheek color to the apples of your cheeks blending up.  Add a little bronzer where the sun naturally kisses your face. Finish your look by adding your highlight color to the high points of your cheeks. 

18. Blot, Blend, Soften

Have you ever gone a little heavy with the blush? Don’t panic! Simply take your damp blending sponge and blot & blend by pushing the sponge into your skin allowing it to pick up the access product until your blush is softened and blended into your skin. It will make everything blend seamlessly.

19. Refresh Your Makeup

We’ve all been there; it’s been a long hectic day and you look in the mirror and your makeup is starting to look a bit too cakey. Here’s a quick fix; first use a tissue to blot away any access oil, then spray your blending sponge with Motives 10 Years Younger and blot.  If it’s still blotchy, add a little Foundation to your sponge and stipple into the skin. No need to redo your makeup, you’ll look refreshed in no time!

20. Add Some Moisture

If you have areas on your face that feel a bit dehydrated during the day, spritz some Lumiere de Vie Rose Refresher on your blending sponge and blot into dry areas. It will add just enough moisture to the skin without disturbing your makeup.

21. Fast & Flawless

One of my favorite things to do that saves a ton of time is using my Motives Flawless Face Stick Bundle and my blending sponge. I apply the darkest color as a contour, apply the lightest color as my highlight, apply my concealer color, add a little of my base color in between it all, and start blending out with my sponge.  You are literally contouring, highlighting, concealing, and applying foundation in one step. It usually only takes me 5 minutes.

22. A Little Glow

Use your makeup blending sponge to add a little glow to your clavicles and decollate by dabbing on Lumiere de Vie After Sun Glow & Renew. It’ll melt into your skin and add just the right amount of a sunkissed look.

23. For Healthy Skin

Cleanse your blending sponge with mild soap and rinse with water after application. Allow the sponge to air dry. We recommend cleaning this tool once a week with an anti-bacterial soap to maintain a sanitary surface. 

24. How to store

While air-drying the sponge, set it out in a dry space where there is optimal airflow. Once completely dry, the sponge can be stored in its original container.

25. Replace 

Blending Sponges can last 3–4 months with proper care, and they really should be replaced after that. You want to make sure your sponge isn’t harboring bacteria. 

Do you have any makeup blending sponge hacks? I’d love to hear them, comment below!